Pomanders

The positive thing about recovering from a hip replacement is that people give you space and time. Two commodities which are in short supply around this time of year. Knowing that I was getting surgery right before the holidays allowed me to pre-plan the celebrations keeping them simple as I knew I would be quite reliant on other people for support. My shopping done and wrapped early, meal planning complete and basic needs being met by friends and family, I found there was the luxury of time to indulge my creative side.

The holidays are my most favorite time of year. I love all the English traditional food and immerse myself in the sounds, sights and smells of the season. For me nothing evokes the Christmas spirit more than the smell of cloves and orange. Such a rich, spicy smell takes me right back to being a kid and sitting in front of an open fire making orange pomanders.

In Victoria days the pomander was a traditional gift and school kids a plenty made them as little art projects to take home. A clove pomander represents warmth of feeling and is an aromatic addition to any table center or mantle decoration. So easy to make by pressing the spiky stem of the clove into the orange. You can create simple or more complex patterns. Either way, you will be enveloped in the rich smell of the holidays as you make them, and as they dry they continue to perfume the air. Give some away to family and friends, then keep some for yourself, a great way to celebrate an old tradition.

Happy holidays to you all and hope to see you at the Candle light celebration at Yoga Nook @ Fifth on Friday, January 4th at 7 pm.